Capitals 4, Thrashers 2
Rookie goaltender Simeon Varlamov continued to impress in only his fifth NHL game, making 29 saves to lift the Caps over the Thrashers in Atlanta, 4-2. The 20-year-old is now 4-0-1.
Alex Ovechkin had two assists to make his points total for the season 108, but Evgeni Malkin also added two points (and the Penguins are still playing) to move to 110 and maintain his slim lead in the Art Ross Trophy race.
With tonight's win and the New Jersey Devils' 4-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington has nearly locked up the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff standings.
Tarik will be back a bit later with some postgame notes and quotes. In the meantime, one of the hot topics in Katie's live game chat tonight was backup goaltending. If Brent Johnson recovers from his hip surgery in time for the playoffs, should he back up Jose Theodore, or is inexperienced-but-talented Simeon Varlamov worthy of the job? Tell us what you think:
By
Lindsay Applebaum
|
April 7, 2009; 9:35 PM ET
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Previous: Live Game Chat: Caps at Thrashers
Next: Kovalchuk: 'Ovie, Next Time, Call Me'
Posted by: MReilly9 | April 7, 2009 9:38 PM | Report abuse
Lightning trying to claw their way into the game. Only down by 1 now with almost 10 to go.
Posted by: jmu_capsgirl | April 7, 2009 9:39 PM | Report abuse
Pens have given up 3 in third. Is this when they start losing games intentionally for playoff positioning?
Posted by: AleksanderOMunchkin | April 7, 2009 9:40 PM | Report abuse
Maybe not. Pens just scored again.
Posted by: AleksanderOMunchkin | April 7, 2009 9:41 PM | Report abuse
Pens score. 5-3.
Posted by: jmu_capsgirl | April 7, 2009 9:41 PM | Report abuse
Because Florida lost in regulation, Pens now clinch a playoff spot, regardless of what happens.
Posted by: jmu_capsgirl | April 7, 2009 9:43 PM | Report abuse
How come no mention that Ovechkin got his 200th career assist tonight?
Posted by: Davethecapsfan | April 7, 2009 9:43 PM | Report abuse
@Aleks- you think they would rather play us than NJ???
Posted by: doncosmic | April 7, 2009 9:43 PM | Report abuse
great game, gonna take 2nd in the east
Posted by: JIMALLCAPS | April 7, 2009 9:44 PM | Report abuse
And a Rangers win officially eliminates the Sabres.
Posted by: jmu_capsgirl | April 7, 2009 9:45 PM | Report abuse
@doncosmic - Yes. I think for many teams it comes down to the goaltender they will face and the Pens would probably rather face Theo than Brodeur, regardless of how the Devils have been playing lately.
Posted by: AleksanderOMunchkin | April 7, 2009 9:48 PM | Report abuse
If the standings stay, the Canes-Flyers series is going to be a bloodbath. Caps-Habs seems the best seeding for the Caps.
Posted by: JIMALLCAPS | April 7, 2009 9:48 PM | Report abuse
did i just see/hear CSN talk about varly while showing clips of johnnie?
i don't think these people are very into hockey!
Posted by: Capt_Kirk_in_AZ | April 7, 2009 9:48 PM | Report abuse
If it is NJ against the Pens in the playoffs, which team will win?
Posted by: MReilly9 | April 7, 2009 9:49 PM | Report abuse
@ MReilly9 -- depends who gets hot in the po's
Posted by: JIMALLCAPS | April 7, 2009 9:52 PM | Report abuse
Pens lose against either of us, they are too inconsistent to win a 7 game series. there is a reason they are either the 6th or the 7th seed.
Posted by: doncosmic | April 7, 2009 9:53 PM | Report abuse
Malkin gets the swiss cheese tomorrow. No way Ovi wins Ross.
Posted by: HeldenCaps | April 7, 2009 9:54 PM | Report abuse
BB didn't appreciate the way Atlanta mocked Ovi's Eastern Motors commercial.
Posted by: AleksanderOMunchkin | April 7, 2009 9:55 PM | Report abuse
The Isles may tighten up -- shame can be a motivator
Posted by: JIMALLCAPS | April 7, 2009 9:56 PM | Report abuse
5-4 with less than 1 minute remaining...
Posted by: MReilly9 | April 7, 2009 9:58 PM | Report abuse
Oh boy. TB scored a late one to make it 5-4. 26 seconds left.
Posted by: AleksanderOMunchkin | April 7, 2009 10:00 PM | Report abuse
now 6-4...
Posted by: MReilly9 | April 7, 2009 10:00 PM | Report abuse
Darn Staal kids.
Posted by: jmu_capsgirl | April 7, 2009 10:01 PM | Report abuse
TARIK: What PSA were you asking BB about? Please fill us in!
Posted by: NatyBG | April 7, 2009 10:08 PM | Report abuse
Anyone know any more about the commercial that Atlanta mocked? It is not a stretch to see how someone (anyone!) could mock Ovie's Eastern's spot. But as BB rightly said, they can mock their team but not our's.
Posted by: crooks_c | April 7, 2009 10:09 PM | Report abuse
Malkin also got two assists; Cindy got one.
Posted by: crooks_c | April 7, 2009 10:13 PM | Report abuse
Excuse me - Cindy got two goals. Must have misread it first time.
Posted by: crooks_c | April 7, 2009 10:14 PM | Report abuse
http://thrashers.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp
This is the link to get to the PSA mentioned in BB post game interview. The link will take you to Thrashers TV and it is titled "bad hockey commercials".
Posted by: NatyBG | April 7, 2009 10:18 PM | Report abuse
so how was the chat? how is it different from what goes on here during the games?
no one voted on my buccigross question. I'm bummed.
When did the thrashers mock Ovies commercial? During the game? How did I miss that? please fill me in!
by the way, only caps fans won't mock that commercial. It was terrible. And when did BB comment on it? I'm so confused.
Posted by: oo7 | April 7, 2009 10:22 PM | Report abuse
oo7:
i guess they showed the comm on the jumbotron. kovolev was shaking his head and was amused - i think they said he told OV to come see him first next time
Posted by: Capt_Kirk_in_AZ | April 7, 2009 10:27 PM | Report abuse
oo7:
i meant atl's kozlov
Posted by: Capt_Kirk_in_AZ | April 7, 2009 10:30 PM | Report abuse
I don't know how you turn to a very, VERY cold Johnson while Varlamov has been a dazzling 4-0-1.
Posted by: Semvechkin | April 7, 2009 10:32 PM | Report abuse
Simeon Varlamov in my opinion. He's young but has the desire and Theo has the experience factor. So, Theo + Varly is a good pair for PO's.
Posted by: Hazz | April 8, 2009 5:48 AM | Report abuse
If Johnson is healthy, then he's the back up, so that way Varly can play with Hershey and stay in game shape (the only way Johnny gets in is if Theo gets hurt in a game). If Theo gets hurt, Johnny can finish the game, and then Varly can be up and ready to play on an emergency call-up.
Posted by: MikeL-Caps91 | April 8, 2009 1:38 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
Flash had a nice game with a goal and assist.